Your TP-Link router is still running, but the headlines might have you wondering whether you need to unplug it. The TP-Link router ban does not stop you from using your router, and previously authorized models can still be sold. The restriction blocks new consumer router models made outside the US unless their manufacturer receives an exemption, which TP-Link has yet to obtain.
You see, owning an existing router and getting a new model onto store shelves are two different issues. Before getting into the lawsuits and TP-Link’s reported investment proposal, here are the details that matter for your home network.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| FCC rule date | March 23, 2026 |
| What it covers | New consumer router models manufactured outside the US |
| Existing routers | Previously authorized models remain legal for you to use and buy |
| Update deadline | FCC permission for eligible updates runs to at least January 1, 2029 |
| Exempt brands | Netgear, Asus, Amazon’s eero and several others |
| TP-Link status | Its exemption request remains unapproved |
| TP-Link pitch | Reportedly considering nearly $1 billion, with US Wi-Fi 8 assembly proposed for 2027 |
| Lawsuits | Texas filed in February 2026, followed by Florida, Iowa, Montana and Nebraska on October 6 |
What the TP-Link Router Ban Really Means
Despite the name you keep seeing, the FCC restriction does not single out TP-Link. Its Covered List now includes consumer routers manufactured abroad, preventing covered models from receiving fresh equipment authorization. For you, the distinction comes down to whether a model already had that authorization.
Manufacturers can seek Conditional Approval through the Department of War or Department of Homeland Security. They must supply ownership, production and supply-chain records, plus a certified plan for manufacturing in the US. Permission can last up to 18 months, but submitting paperwork does not secure it.
So, what changes for you? Here is where the restriction applies.
- Your current router. You can continue using it without replacing it because of this rule.
- Previously authorized models. You can still buy these, including eligible TP-Link routers.
- New models manufactured abroad. These need an exemption before receiving new FCC authorization.
- Firmware updates. A separate FCC waiver permits eligible updates for previously authorized routers into 2029.
Which Routers Are Affected and Which Brands Got a Pass
An American company name does not automatically get a router through the process. Production location determines whether the restriction applies, so brands that manufacture abroad need permission too. If you are comparing brands, this is how their reported approval status differs.
| Brand | Status | Valid until |
|---|---|---|
| Netgear | Conditional Approval covering Nighthawk and Orbi | October 1, 2027 |
| Asus | Conditional Approval covering new and future products | March 6, 2028 |
| Amazon’s eero | Temporary waiver reported | Not specified |
| Adtran, Calix, Nokia and Starlink | Exemptions reported | Individual dates not provided |
| TP-Link | No exemption granted | Not applicable |
Reporting put the number of vendors holding waivers at 22 on October 2, with expiry dates across 2027 and 2028. That gives you more choice than a single approved brand, though these permissions have time limits. TP-Link remained outside the approved group in the research dated October 15.
TP-Link’s $1 Billion Offer and Wi-Fi 8 Plans
If you were waiting for TP-Link’s next Wi-Fi generation, its proposed US investment explains why the launch remains uncertain. PCMag reported that TP-Link sent the FCC a letter describing nearly $1 billion in investment, with domestic Wi-Fi 8 assembly proposed for 2027. That proposal depends on receiving an exemption, so here is what you can treat as a plan rather than a completed factory project.
Back in April, TP-Link had offered, if granted temporary permission, to put hundreds of millions of dollars into US manufacturing. The newer reported proposal raises that figure, but you still do not have an announced factory location or confirmed opening. TP-Link also says its US engineering team would develop and store the software and firmware domestically.
Meanwhile, Archer 8 Ultra preorders opened in Canada, the UK, Australia and Germany, leaving US buyers out. The listed German price was €799.90. You can register interest through its US product page, but that does not establish an approved US launch.
Why States Are Suing TP-Link
The FCC approval process is only one issue behind the headlines you are reading. Five states have sued TP-Link, raising questions about its security promises and its relationship with China. To understand what those cases mean, you need to separate the accusations, TP-Link’s response and a separate dispute with Netgear.
What the lawsuits claim
Florida filed its case in Polk County on October 6 under its deceptive-trade-practices law. Its complaint challenges HomeShield security advertising, statements about Chinese ties and Vietnamese production, privacy disclosures, and decisions to discontinue security support.
For you, these remain allegations awaiting a court decision. Florida seeks $10,000 for each willful violation, or $15,000 where specified protected groups are affected. Separately, 21 state attorneys general urged the FCC to reject TP-Link’s exemption request.
How TP-Link responds
TP-Link disputes the accusations. Corporate affairs officer Steve Kovsky rejected the foundations of the lawsuits, while the company says it operates independently from its former Chinese counterpart and manufactures US-bound devices in Vietnam.
Its position is that no foreign government owns or controls it. As you assess those competing accounts, remember that no court had decided the claims as of mid-October 2026.
The Netgear feud
You are also seeing a commercial dispute play out alongside the state cases. TP-Link sued Netgear in November 2025, alleging a campaign to damage its reputation and breach of an earlier settlement.
Netgear counterclaimed on June 11, 2026, alleging that TP-Link’s description of itself as American amounted to false advertising. The earlier patent settlement had involved TP-Link paying Netgear $135 million in 2024. Those rival-company allegations should remain separate from any court-established finding.
Will Your TP-Link Router Keep Getting Updates
Your router does not lose access to firmware simply because TP-Link lacks approval for new models. The FCC’s May waiver permits eligible devices authorized before March 23, 2026 to receive updates until at least January 1, 2029. Still, you need to separate that permission from the support available for your particular model.
- Permitted updates. The waiver allows security repairs, operating-system compatibility changes and fixes needed to keep eligible routers functioning.
- TP-Link’s commitment. In April, the company said existing customers would continue receiving firmware and security support.
- Older hardware. Your model may already have reached the end of its support period, regardless of the FCC deadline.
- Provider-supplied routers. If you use an Aginet device supplied by your internet provider, ask the provider how it distributes patches.
Should You Keep or Replace Your TP-Link Router
You do not need to replace a supported router simply because a lawsuit makes the news. TechRepublic advises giving more attention to missing patches and discontinued support, and reports five SEC Consult vulnerabilities involving issues such as authentication bypass and command injection. Use your router’s actual condition to decide what comes next.
| Your situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Your recent model receives firmware releases | Keep it updated and check its support status |
| Support has ended, or no update has appeared for more than a year | Check for unresolved flaws and plan a replacement |
| Your internet provider supplied the router | Ask about patches and replacement options |
| You handle sensitive work or run a small business | Consider a brand with current approval |
| Your router offers only WEP, WPA or WPA2-TKIP | Replace it or request newer equipment from your provider |
A familiar brand name cannot tell you whether a particular device has been patched. Check your exact model and firmware version before making that call.
Can You Still Buy a TP-Link Router in the US
Yes, you can still purchase TP-Link models that already hold the required FCC authorization. The restriction prevents new foreign-produced models from gaining authorization without an exemption, leaving TP-Link’s Wi-Fi 8 launch blocked in the US for now. Before buying, check more than the name on the box.
- Authorization. Confirm that the particular model is already authorized for US sale.
- Remaining support. Check whether TP-Link still publishes firmware for that model.
- Future releases. Treat a product announcement or email registration page as separate from permission to launch in the US.
Good Alternatives If You Want to Switch
If you would rather choose another brand, several manufacturers have permission to introduce new models. Their approvals carry expiry dates, and approved routers can still be manufactured abroad. Here are three options you can compare. If your problem is weak coverage rather than the brand, read our WiFi booster vs WiFi extender guide before you buy anything.
- Netgear. You can consider its Nighthawk and Orbi ranges, covered by approval lasting through October 1, 2027.
- Asus. Its permission extends to March 6, 2028 and includes RT, ROG and ZenWiFi lines, among others.
- Amazon’s eero. Reporting identifies eero as holding a temporary waiver, though the cited coverage does not give its expiry date.
Whichever you choose, check the individual model’s support commitment too. Regulatory approval and ongoing firmware maintenance answer different questions.
How to Lock Down Any Router Today
Whatever brand you keep, your router still needs attention. CISA recommends changes to passwords, wireless encryption and features that allow outside access. Work through these checks before treating a replacement as your only option. If a console or smart device still drops off afterward, our fixes for a PS5 not connecting to WiFi and a smart plug that won’t connect can help.
- Replace the administrator login. Change the default username where possible and create a unique, lengthy administrator password.
- Install available firmware. Check for updates and enable automatic installation if your router offers it.
- Check wireless encryption. Select WPA3 Personal or WPA2 with AES. Replace equipment limited to WEP, WPA or WPA2-TKIP.
- Strengthen your Wi-Fi password. Choose at least 16 characters and keep it separate from your administrator password.
- Disable unnecessary access features. Turn off remote management and WPS, plus UPnP once setup is complete.
- Separate connected gadgets. Put visitors and smart-home equipment on a guest network.
- Change the network name. Replace the factory name without adding your name, address or other personal details.
Keep the hardware somewhere other people cannot easily reset it. These checks remain useful whether your next router comes from TP-Link or another manufacturer.
Where the TP-Link Router Ban Goes From Here
For now, you can keep using your existing router while checking that its firmware remains supported. The next developments to watch concern TP-Link’s exemption request, the state lawsuits and the deadlines attached to rival brands’ approvals. Each could affect what you can buy next.
An approval could open the door to new TP-Link releases, while the lawsuits remain unresolved. Netgear’s and Asus’s permissions expire in 2027 and 2028 respectively, so check their status when you next shop. Start today with your model’s support page and any available firmware update.
FAQs
You can continue using a supported TP-Link router, though its safety depends on patches and how you configure it. Check for current firmware and disable remote administration if you do not need it. The lawsuits alone do not establish that your device has been compromised.
No, your router’s manufacturing location determines whether the FCC restriction applies, rather than the brand alone. Manufacturers producing consumer routers abroad need an exemption to obtain authorization for new models. Several competitors have received permission that TP-Link still lacks.
You are seeing scrutiny over alleged security misrepresentations and disputed claims about TP-Link’s separation from China. Five states have filed lawsuits, while TP-Link denies foreign-government ownership or control. Those accusations remain unresolved in court.
You do not have to replace your TP-Link router because of the FCC restriction. Check whether your model still receives security repairs and supports suitable encryption. Discontinued support gives you a more practical reason to consider replacement.
You cannot count on a US Wi-Fi 8 release until TP-Link obtains the necessary approval. PCMag reports that the company has proposed domestic assembly beginning in 2027 if it receives an exemption. Overseas preorders do not confirm US availability.
Yes, reported vulnerabilities affect some TP-Link equipment, so you should check whether your particular model needs a patch. TechRepublic describes SEC Consult findings involving login protection, embedded keys and command execution. If your provider supplied the router, ask it whether the relevant repairs have been installed.
